Himachal CM releases Rs 45 crore to clear pending apple procurement dues

Shimla: In a major relief to thousands of fruit growers across Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced the immediate release of ₹45 crore to clear the long-pending liabilities under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). The funds will clear the outstanding payments owed to orchardists for the apples procured during the previous harvesting season through state-run agencies.

Addressing the media in Shimla, the Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the horticulture sector, which forms the backbone of the state's agrarian economy. He stated that the government recognized the financial distress caused to growers due to delayed disbursements and took decisive action to ensure all pending dues are settled directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries without further delay.

Key Highlights:
Direct Financial Relief: The allocated ₹45 crore will be processed through the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) and HIMFED to clear pending liabilities.

Support for Growers: The Market Intervention Scheme plays a crucial role in stabilizing market prices by procuring C-grade apples, preventing distress sales by small and marginal farmers.

Institutional Reforms: The Chief Minister assured that the procurement process and payment mechanisms are being digitized and streamlined to prevent such backlogs in future harvesting seasons.

Horticulture associations across the Shimla, Kullu, and Kinnaur belts have welcomed the government's decision, noting that timely payments are essential for orchardists to purchase fertilizers, pesticides, and equipment required for the upcoming season. The state government has directed the concerned departments to expedite the verification process to ensure swift fund transfer.